Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 634,197	$ 684,894		$ 1,275,822	$ 1,396,598
Total segment operating profit	112,174	71,939		227,061	229,866
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	9,709	12,712		19,970	21,298
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,389)	(3,506)		(13,918)	(7,877)
Segment income	129,031	179,710		262,656	359,473
Corporate & other	(15,537)	(3,862)		(29,543)	(21,483)
Restructuring and other charges, net		(94,703)	[1]		(94,703)	[1]
Interest and financing expenses	(7,608)	(8,486)		(12,839)	(17,220)
Other expenses, net	(1,697)	(688)		(5,906)	(806)
Income tax expense	(21,450)	(21,882)		(47,642)	(60,910)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	82,739	50,089		166,726	164,351
Polymer Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	224,316	247,016		439,090	475,147
Total segment operating profit	43,821	63,407		87,491	117,954
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	2,328	1,913		4,636	3,758
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,494)	349		(3,202)	(653)
Segment income	43,655	65,669		88,925	121,059
Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	233,818	229,144		469,391	522,666
Total segment operating profit	43,613	57,370		92,658	134,011
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	7,381	10,799		15,334	17,540
Segment income	50,994	68,169		107,992	151,551
Fine Chemistry
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	176,063	208,734		367,341	398,785
Total segment operating profit	40,277	49,704		76,455	94,067
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,895)	(3,832)		(10,716)	(7,204)
Segment income	34,382	45,872		65,739	86,863
Segment Operating Profit Excluding Corporate Expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating profit	127,711	170,481		256,604	346,032
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		$ (23)			$ (20)

[1] See Note 13, "Restructuring and Other."